News
Russia woos Tesla as several regions compete for the right to build a Gigafactory
Tesla may still be facing possible delays in Germany due to the wait for Gigafactory Berlin’s final approval, but the EV maker is already receiving a far more welcome landscape in Russia. This was hinted at by several Russian governors following Elon Musk’s recent comments.
The Tesla CEO recently spoke at Russia’s New Knowledge Forum, where he discussed the company’s plans to enter the country. Musk noted that Tesla’s entry into Russia was imminent, and he reportedly remarked that the EV maker is also considering the country as the potential site of an upcoming facility. These comments promptly inspired a series of responses from numerous Russian officials, several of whom were intent on persuading Musk to set up a factory in their respective states.
Vladislav Shapsha, the head of the Kaluga region, immediately posted an invitation to Tesla on his Telegram channel. In his message, Shapsha remarked that Kaluga is completely ready for such a project. “Elon Musk announced the appearance of Tesla production in Russia at the New Knowledge marathon. I propose to open the first plant in the Kaluga region. The region is fully prepared for this,” he wrote.
Shapsha’s invitation soon found company, with Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, also issuing an open invitation for Tesla and Elon Musk. Posting on Twitter–the Tesla CEO’s preferred platform for social media–the Moscow governor noted that his region would be the best place for a Tesla factory. Vorobyov noted that his region is already experienced with carmaking, especially since Mercedes-Benz already has a facility there.
@elonmusk Moscow region is definitely best for a #Tesla factory. Best talent, perfect logistics, Mercedes production already here! We’ll find you a perfect spot. pic.twitter.com/ayCGyBGy4y
— Андрей Воробьев (@VorobievAndrey) May 21, 2021
Not to be outdone, Alexander Brechalov, the head of the Udmurt Republic, posted an invitation on Twitter just minutes after the Moscow governor’s message. In his post, Brechalov noted that Tesla would be receiving tax breaks if the company decides to set up shop in Udmurt instead. He also stated that Tesla would be welcome in Udmurt, the “most entrepreneurial region in Russia.
@elonmusk Илон Маск заявил о планах размещения производства тесла в России. Welcome to Udmurtia! Площадка для вас готова!
— Александр Бречалов (@brechalov) May 21, 2021
Yevgeny Kuyvashev, the governor of the Sverdlovsk Region, called the Titanium Valley, a special economic zone in the area, a preferable location for an electric vehicle factory. In a post on Instagram, the governor hinted that Tesla could reduce the cost of establishing a plant in the region by 30%. He also issued an invitation to Elon Musk to attend the Innoprom industrial exhibition in July.
View this post on Instagram
Other Russian officials who opted to not use social media also joined the fray, such as the authorities of the Kaliningrad region, who remarked that they are ready to host the production of Tesla’s electric cars. Dmitry Lyskov, the head of the press service of the regional government, noted that authorities are optimistic about the idea of Tesla setting up a facility in Kaliningrad. Lyskov further remarked that Tesla’s arrival in the region would likely result in more jobs for residents in the area.
The governor of the Oryol (Eagle) Region Andrei Klychkov also issued a statement for the Tesla CEO. Using a bit of symbolism, the Oryol governor noted that the Eagle is a symbol of “fearlessness and a conquest of the peaks,” making it a perfect match for Tesla’s bold and ambitious philosophy. Klychkov also promised that Tesla would receive some “unique and exclusive officers” in logistics and infrastructure if it does establish a facility in the region.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for news tips. Just send a message to tips@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
Elon Musk
Tesla Full Self-Driving’s newest behavior is the perfect answer to aggressive cars
According to a recent video, it now appears the suite will automatically pull over if there is a tailgater on your bumper, the most ideal solution for when a driver is riding your bumper.
Tesla Full Self-Driving appears to have a new behavior that is the perfect answer to aggressive drivers.
According to a recent video, it now appears the suite will automatically pull over if there is a tailgater on your bumper, the most ideal solution for when a driver is riding your bumper.
With FSD’s constantly-changing Speed Profiles, it seems as if this solution could help eliminate the need to tinker with driving modes from the person in the driver’s seat. This tends to be one of my biggest complaints from FSD at times.
A video posted on X shows a Tesla on Full Self-Driving pulling over to the shoulder on windy, wet roads after another car seemed to be following it quite aggressively. The car looks to have automatically sensed that the vehicle behind it was in a bit of a hurry, so FSD determined that pulling over and letting it by was the best idea:
Tesla appears to be implementing some sort of feature that will now pull over if someone is tailgating you to let the car by
Really cool feature, definitely get a lot of this from those who think they drive race cars
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 26, 2026
We can see from the clip that there was no human intervention to pull over to the side, as the driver’s hands are stationary and never interfere with the turn signal stalk.
This can be used to override some of the decisions FSD makes, and is a great way to get things back on track if the semi-autonomous functionality tries to do something that is either unneeded or not included in the routing on the in-car Nav.
FSD tends to move over for faster traffic on the interstate when there are multiple lanes. On two-lane highways, it will pass slower cars using the left lane. When faster traffic is behind a Tesla on FSD, the vehicle will move back over to the right lane, the correct behavior in a scenario like this.
Perhaps one of my biggest complaints at times with Full Self-Driving, especially from version to version, is how much tinkering Tesla does with Speed Profiles. One minute, they’re suitable for driving on local roads, the next, they’re either too fast or too slow.
When they are too slow, most of us just shift up into a faster setting, but at times, even that’s not enough, see below:
What has happened to Mad Max?
At one point it was going 32 in a 35. Traffic ahead had pulled away considerably https://t.co/bjKvaMVTNX pic.twitter.com/aaZSWmLu5v
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 24, 2026
There are times when it feels like it would be suitable for the car to just pull over and let the vehicle that is traveling behind pass. This, at least up until this point, it appears, was something that required human intervention.
Now, it looks like Tesla is trying to get FSD to a point where it just knows that it should probably get out of the way.
Elon Musk
Tesla Megapack powers $1.1B AI data center project in Brazil
By integrating Tesla’s Megapack systems, the facility will function not only as a major power consumer but also as a grid-supporting asset.
Tesla’s Megapack battery systems will be deployed as part of a 400MW AI data center campus in Uberlândia, Brazil. The initiative is described as one of Latin America’s largest AI infrastructure projects.
The project is being led by RT-One, which confirmed that the facility will integrate Tesla Megapack battery energy storage systems (BESS) as part of a broader industrial alliance that includes Hitachi Energy, Siemens, ABB, HIMOINSA, and Schneider Electric. The project is backed by more than R$6 billion (approximately $1.1 billion) in private capital.
According to RT-One, the data center is designed to operate on 100% renewable energy while also reinforcing regional grid stability.
“Brazil generates abundant energy, particularly from renewable sources such as solar and wind. However, high renewable penetration can create grid stability challenges,” RT-One President Fernando Palamone noted in a post on LinkedIn. “Managing this imbalance is one of the country’s growing infrastructure priorities.”
By integrating Tesla’s Megapack systems, the facility will function not only as a major power consumer but also as a grid-supporting asset.
“The facility will be capable of absorbing excess electricity when supply is high and providing stabilization services when the grid requires additional support. This approach enhances resilience, improves reliability, and contributes to a more efficient use of renewable generation,” Palamone added.
The model mirrors approaches used in energy-intensive regions such as California and Texas, where large battery systems help manage fluctuations tied to renewable energy generation.
The RT-One President recently visited Tesla’s Megafactory in Lathrop, California, where Megapacks are produced, as part of establishing the partnership. He thanked the Tesla team, including Marcel Dall Pai, Nicholas Reale, and Sean Jones, for supporting the collaboration in his LinkedIn post.
Elon Musk
Starlink powers Europe’s first satellite-to-phone service with O2 partnership
The service initially supports text messaging along with apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Maps and weather tools.
Starlink is now powering Europe’s first commercial satellite-to-smartphone service, as Virgin Media O2 launches a space-based mobile data offering across the UK.
The new O2 Satellite service uses Starlink’s low-Earth orbit network to connect regular smartphones in areas without terrestrial coverage, expanding O2’s reach from 89% to 95% of Britain’s landmass.
Under the rollout, compatible Samsung devices automatically connect to Starlink satellites when users move beyond traditional mobile coverage, according to Reuters.
The service initially supports text messaging along with apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Maps and weather tools. O2 is pricing the add-on at £3 per month.
By leveraging Starlink’s satellite infrastructure, O2 can deliver connectivity in remote and rural regions without building additional ground towers. The move represents another step in Starlink’s push beyond fixed broadband and into direct-to-device mobile services.
Virgin Media O2 chief executive Lutz Schuler shared his thoughts about the Starlink partnership. “By launching O2 Satellite, we’ve become the first operator in Europe to launch a space-based mobile data service that, overnight, has brought new mobile coverage to an area around two-thirds the size of Wales for the first time,” he said.
Satellite-based mobile connectivity is gaining traction globally. In the U.S., T-Mobile has launched a similar satellite-to-cell offering. Meanwhile, Vodafone has conducted satellite video call tests through its partnership with AST SpaceMobile last year.
For Starlink, the O2 agreement highlights how its network is increasingly being integrated into national telecom systems, enabling standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites without specialized hardware.